Yiaga Africa, others to NASS: publish final version of electoral Act 2026
Civil society organisations (CSOs) have called on the National Assembly to promptly publish the final version of the Electoral Act 2026 as signed into law to ensure public awareness, legal
- …CSOs urge INEC to issue revised 2027 election timetable
Civil society organisations (CSOs) have called on the National Assembly to promptly publish the final version of the Electoral Act 2026 as signed into law to ensure public awareness, legal clarity, and stakeholder engagement.
The CSOs, which include: Yiaga Africa; Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO); The Kukah Centre; International Press Centre (IPC); Elect Her; Nigerian Women Trust Fund and The Albino Foundation (TAF Africa) made their position known at a press conference yesterday, in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday signed the amended electoral bill into law following its passage by both chambers of the National Assembly.
Following the amendment to the Act, the CSOs urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently publish a revised timetable and schedule for the 2027 general elections to reflect the 300-day notice.
Speaking on behalf of the CSOs, Founder of The Albino Foundation, Dr. Jake Epelle, noted that certainty in electoral timelines was essential for political parties, candidates, civil society, security agencies, and voters to prepare adequately.
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Epelle also urged the commission to publish comprehensive regulations under Section 151, addressing the definition and threshold for INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to “communication failure,” including transparent verification procedures; standards for monitoring, observing, and certifying political party primaries; and disability-inclusive voter registration procedures, ensuring full compliance with constitutional guarantees of equality and inclusion.
He added that regulatory ambiguity at this stage will only invite disputes and litigation later.
Epelle also urged the commission to organise a national simulation exercise of IReV electronic transmission across all 176,866 polling units, with independent observers present.
The civil society organisations welcomed the passage of sections 18, 9, 62 and 71 (downloadable voter card; disability-inclusive voter registration; and enhanced penalties for result falsification).
“Electoral Act 2026 is now law. It is imperfect. It is incomplete. It leaves dangerous loopholes open and erects new barriers to participation. But it is also the legal framework within which the 2027 elections will be conducted, and it is our responsibility as citizens, media, civil society etc, to ensure that the elections conducted under this law are credible, transparent, inclusive, and reflective of the will of the Nigerian people,” the CSOs added.
